Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-02-05
NEWSPAPERS OR TIE Law

Governor Ross of Texas talks well, Us would
appear by his inaugural address. The most Ill
mayed int, rest of the state within admins
tr- tive influence is undOubt, dly that of the
pubic and school lads, and Governor Ross
says fatty that these lanus should not be dis
posed of in large allOtments, but should De so d
under n uniform pla in small portions to &C
tua settlers at long time and at low rate II in
teIest Ii he acts as he talks and the Legisla-
ture co operates the great state of Texas will
take long sep forward springfield (Mass.)
Republican.
This comment of the Massachusetts pa
per on that portion of the Governors in
augural address which relates to the pub
lie lands, has an interest for Texas law
makers. The Springfield Republican is
printed and circulated in section of the
country where crowded population impels
the public attention to those other sec
tions whose vacant lands offer possible
homes to the immigrant. In commenting
upon the land policy of Texas, which
state is known to own its public lands,
the Springfield journal simply caters to a
public demand; and it is interesting
to note the views expressed by
the Republican, since they reflect
the public impression outside the
state of our land policy, and
perhaps explain that "check which
has been placed upon immigration and
settlement, as shown by the register, for
nearly two years" Commenting upon
Governor Ross declaration that the lands
should be sold in small quantities to
actual settlers, at low prices and on long
time, the Republican says if this becomes
the policy "the grand state of Texas will
take long step forward"
And referring to the past policy of the
state, the Republican says "the most ILL
managed interest of the state within ad-
ministrative influence is undoubtedly that
of the public and school lands" 1t may,
possibly, be asserted that Texas need not
concern itself about what the Springfield
Republican says or thinks of its land pol
icy, But, nevertheless, it is important
to recognize the fact that immigrants
and homeseekers, whose avoidance of
Texas for two years was noted by Mr..
Walsh in his last official report, are in
fuenced by what such newspapers as the
Republican print; and these papers,
with intellig, Mt comprehension of the
public mind, may give valua-
BILE hints as to what land
policy will attract immigration. These
newspapers know what the federal land
policy has done for the west and north
west, and it is natural they should note
the promise of good to Texas in a return
to the same policy by this state.
In his last report before retiring from
office, ex-Land Commissioner Walsh ad-
mitted the failure of the lease law in
these words: "When the full history of
the birth, rapid growth and 'untimelY
taking off of the lease system is fully
understood by the people, there
will be day of reckoning for
those responsible, if they can
be found" This failure of the lease law
Mr. Walsh, in his report, attributes to the
"apathy on the part of the representa-
tives of the great interior and 1ntelligen.
industry on the part of those representing
the pasture regions"
Mr.. Walsh not only admitted the fail
ure of the lease, but confesses'that ga
check was placed upon immigration and
settlement, as shown by the register, for
nearly two years" This "check upon
immigration and settlement" Mr.. Welsh,
in his report, attributes to the newspa-
pers Of Texas that predicted such result
of the lease law.
The facts are, then, according to the
official admission of the man who is will |